Coolest Instrument You've Played?

**Mark Wilson** · #1 03-20-2007, 11:09 PM

I've been lucky enough to play a few pretty cool instruments in my short 19 years alive.

One was a Steve Vai Blood Gem. Serial Number 27 and 32 (I think) I could be wrong about the numbers, but they're in that range.

I worked at a music store, and the owners son owned two of them. He brought them in to let me do a set up. Why two blood gems? I have no idea. I was terrified.

Second, a Stradivarius Violin from 1721. This thing resonates like you wouldn't believe. It's been a family heirloom in a close friends family since it was made. Only one family has owned it, and it's worth close to $1.5 million. Not being a violin player at ALL, it sure as hell made me sound like one.

So guys, lets hear your stories!

bongomania · #2 03-21-2007, 12:12 AM

I used to own a 1920's Deagan Xylorimba. It was a portable mallet instrument with wooden bars, where the lower octaves were harmonically tuned like a marimba, and the upper octaves were harmonically tuned like a xylophone. Man it was a beauty and a rare coolity, but I just wasn't playing it enough to justify hoarding it.

Jumbotron · #3 03-21-2007, 08:03 AM

I played a 1926 (if I remember right) Gibson style F mandolin last summer. Also have played a 1950's Gibson 15-string (two necks) lap steel--very rare, totally custom.

And, of course, I think my 7-string fretless LEJ is pretty cool too.

hawaiianbass · #4 03-21-2007, 08:18 AM

A PVC instrument. I'm building one right now and it will be pretty bada@@. They sound very cool, almost synthesizer like but not at the same time.

CK

DJ-Jazzy-Jay · #5 03-21-2007, 08:19 AM

Alembic epic bass, 6-stringer.

davetakis · #6 03-21-2007, 09:53 AM

"Second, a Stradivarius Violin from 1721. This thing resonates like you wouldn't believe. It's been a family heirloom in a close friends family since it was made. Only one family has owned it, and it's worth close to $1.5 million. Not being a violin player at ALL, it sure as hell made me sound like one. "

ummmmm, wow. i am reading a book right now on stardivarius. is that thing in a safety deposit box or surrounded by armed guards? i would love top see the provenance on that violin. owned by one family. geez, i'm all goosebumpy. wow just wow. the coolest instrument i have ever played is brian jones teardrop vox mark vi guitar.

Mark Latimour · #7 03-21-2007, 09:59 AM

Pfft...none of you match this for coolness:

Baryonyx · #8 03-21-2007, 10:07 AM

probably my 1989 Kubicki, it was owned by a Cali native until the 90's when it ended up in Ireland, and in 2004 it ended up with me!

Otso · #9 03-21-2007, 10:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark Wilson

Second, a Stradivarius Violin from 1721. This thing resonates like you wouldn't believe. It's been a family heirloom in a close friends family since it was made. Only one family has owned it, and it's worth close to $1.5 million. Not being a violin player at ALL, it sure as hell made me sound like one.

So guys, lets hear your stories!

Not to sound mean or anything, but I REALLY doubt the realness of that Strad. First of all, who would keep a violin worth 1,5mil in a case like that. The violin having fine tuners on the tailpiece would mean that the tailpiece has been changed, and it would probably be in use. If someone actually playd it, they would quite likely put a chinrest on it. Also especially if it was in real use, they would have a proper case for it. Also, if you don't play the violin at ALL, I have a hard time believing it would make you sound like a violinist. When it comes to playng the violin, intonation and producing a decent tone takes a lot of practice, therefore one can't just pick it up and be able to play a tune like one could on a guitar. Sorry if this offends anyone, but everyone's uncle, friends and such always tend to have their corners filled with Guarneri, Stradivari and Amati made instruments.

DJ-Jazzy-Jay · #10 03-21-2007, 10:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark Latimour

Pfft...none of you match this for coolness:

gtfo. alembic > that thing.

Wesley R · #11 03-21-2007, 10:40 AM

went missing. It ended up at a friends house for a couple of days. It went back to the rightful owner and was back on tour in a couple of weeks.
I was definatly major league upset with the theif (as were many other people). I shouldn't have played, but I did. I didn't belive him at first. The following Sunday the musical instrument section of the want adds had an add posting a reward and serial numbers matched. That afternoon, my friend made sure the thief got the SG out of the house. This all happened along time ago and I kinda forgat about it , until now.

Another cool guitar is a Gibson made between 1903 and 1910. It went to Africa with some Catholic missionaries. Came back to Minnesota and sat in an attic until 1992 when the nuns had a garage sale. My aunt bought it for my dad. No one could play as the strings were way high and everyone figured it was pretty, but junk. I looked at it and when I opened the case a nut fell out ofthe pocket. A quick look at the bridge ant the light goes on in my mind. The bridge is reversable and the nut interchangeable, this thing was set up to play as a lap guitar, even the bar was in the case. Couple of minutes work, some Martin Phospher Bronze strings and whamo, one dandy sounding guitar. Arched back and front with all inlay and binding in tact, faded bit in tact.
Best of Luck,
Wesley R.

Mark Latimour · #12 03-21-2007, 10:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DJ-Jazzy-Jay

gtfo. alembic > that thing.

I think the pun went over your head.

DJ-Jazzy-Jay · #13 03-21-2007, 12:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark Latimour

I think the pun went over your head.

what pun?.

Rakie · #14 03-21-2007, 01:43 PM

an MIM Fender jazz !!!!

*Vomits*

I think the coolest thing i've played was a haynes professional series flute, was my old teachers, that thing cost him $16,000 or so. Sounded very nice.

GrooveWarrior · #15 03-21-2007, 01:48 PM

A local shop here had 2 Fender No-Casters at the same time. You know the tele's that were called Broadcasters, and they had to change the name because Gretsch had a drum set called the Broadkaster . . . so they just took the stickers off of them.

They are pretty rare, and it was nice.

barthanatos · #16 03-21-2007, 02:26 PM

A Steinway Model D concert grand piano.

We got to a concert early that was at a big church, and it was sitting on the main stage (not the stage the concert was on).

moogboy · #17 03-21-2007, 02:30 PM

how about a Gibson Les Paul Number 9 Pete Townshend model?
how about the Jimi Hendrix Marshall Stack.
THAT SUCKER WAS LOUD ENOUGH TO FILL MSG!!!!!
or maybe a few Hammond organs (4)
a Strat previously owned by Tommy James of Tommy James and the Shondells, it was signed on the headstock but it had been refretted and the signature had faded

**Mark Wilson** · #18 03-21-2007, 03:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Otso

Also, if you don't play the violin at ALL, I have a hard time believing it would make you sound like a violinist. When it comes to playng the violin, intonation and producing a decent tone takes a lot of practice, therefore one can't just pick it up and be able to play a tune like one could on a guitar.

I've dabbled on Violin. One has been in my family for about 10 years, It was a figure of speech. I'm definitely not a violinist.

I had a feeling there would be someone who had to question it.

Busker · #19 03-21-2007, 04:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark Wilson

I've dabbled on Violin. One has been in my family for about 10 years, It was a figure of speech. I'm definitely not a violinist.

I had a feeling there would be someone who had to question it.

Not trying to be a jerk, it's just that there are not that many verified genuine Strad instruments worldwide.

You are probably aware that perhaps 9 out of 10 old violins have Stradivarius labels inside. And probably 9 out of 10 of those were made in Germany in the late 19th to early 20th century. The quality of those Strad copies ranges from very good to abysmal. I also don't think a 1.5 million dollar violin would reside in a case like that. It would have a climate-controlled case to protect the condition and value.

And it's possible that great-great grandfather may have been convinced it was a genuine Strad, so it's been handed down and everyone in the family accepts that it is.

And maybe it's the real deal. Who am I to say....

jady · #20 03-21-2007, 04:04 PM

I got to play Gary Karrs 1611 Amati Double Bass. I had a masterclass with him (my teacher was a very close friend) and afterwards he let me play it.

It was in a hotel conference room, concrete floors, steel and concrete walls, etc. The whole room vibrated, it was like the air in the room was alive, never experienced anything like it. It was as if I was swimming in a pool of sound.